Indian Paint
Nishko is a chief's son in the Great Plains, before Europeans arrive. During his rite of passage, he's determined to tame a painted pony. He approaches manhood while his peaceful clan is set upon by a nearby tribe willing to break a treaty. He must also contend with the kidnapping of three young women from his village, his pony's illness behind enemy lines, his mother's coma after a rattlesnake bite, the medicine man's urging that he sacrifice what he loves best, the attack of a cougar and of wolves, and his own injury while alone in the woods. His kindness, bravery, and quick thinking serve him well, but rescue come from an unexpected source.
CinemaSerf@Geronimo1967
The title doesn't exactly help this, but it's still a decent observation of the growing up of a young man "Nishko" (a fresh-faced looking Johnny Crawford), the son of a chief who must contend with many of the travails a youth has to deal with - only this time, the film takes the perspective of this young native American boy. The location cinematography is glorious to look at - and there is an innocence to the plot and a simplicity to the dialogue that lends a bit of charm to the story as the young man has to make some very tough - and brave - choices that I wouldn't envy. Of course, there is little jeopardy to the plot and at times it runs to sentiment just a bit too much, but it's still quite an enjoyable, almost Disney-esque, coming of age story.